Formerly homeless comedian to perform at shelter

A formerly homeless comedian is scheduled to perform for homeless adults in Redwood City tonight at one of the Peninsula's largest shelter providers.

Shelter Network, which operates six shelters and provides numerous services for homeless families and individuals in San Mateo County, is hosting a night of stand-up comedy with Doug Ferrari at an 80-bed homeless adult facility.

Ferrari, who won the San Francisco Comedy Competition in 1984 and enjoyed a successful comedy career before becoming homeless, met Shelter Network spokesman Chris Canter when he, too, was homeless in San Francisco, Canter said.

Tonight's performance is designed to be a "feel-good" event for about 100 of the Maple Street Center's adult clients.

"We're trying to raise the spirits of some of the homeless that we serve," Canter said. "The holidays can be a difficult time."

The event is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. at the Shelter Network's Maple Street Shelter at 1580 A Maple St. in Redwood City.